Lumber slicing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lumber slicing apparatus grips a log or timber cant between an active jaw and a passive jaw, each of which is individually mounted on a frame so that its movement is constrained to follow an angular path relative to a slicing blade. The passive jaw is supported by resilient means which permit the jaw to yield under application of pressure. The active jaw is provided with means to move it against the resistance of the passive jaw. Actuation of the moving means causes the active jaw to force the workpiece angularly against the slicing blade in a manner so that it is cut along its short dimension. The slicing action eliminates kerf loss and greatly increases the speed with which pieces can be cut from the workpiece.

United States Patent Gilbert 1 Apr. 25, 1972 154] LUMBER SLICING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Lloyd A. Gilbert, Roseburg, Oreg.

[73] Assignees: Frank Pozzi; Donald R. Wilson; Donald Atchison; Garry Kahn, Portland, Oreg. part interest to each [22] Filed: Aug. [4,1970

21 Appl.No.: 63,687

[52] U.S.Cl ..l44/162 [51] ..B27b 13/10 [58] Field ofSearch ..l44/l62 R, 162 A, 162 B, 172, 144/182,192, 193, 194,195

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,044,510 7/1962 Schneider et a1. ..144/l62 3,327,747 6/1967 Collins ..l44/l62 CONVEYOR 1/ 1, O C r V I8 17 3,349,818 10/1967 Standal 144/162 57] ABSTRACT A lumber slicing apparatus grips a log or timber cant between an active jaw and a passive jaw, each of which is individually mounted on a frame so that its movement is constrained to follow an angular path relative to a slicing blade. The passive jaw is supported by resilient means which permit the jaw to yield under application of pressure. The active jaw is provided with means to move it against the resistance of the passive jaw. Actuation of the moving means causes the active jaw to force the workpiece angularly against the slicing blade in a manner so that it is cut along its short dimension. The slicing action eliminates kerf loss and greatly increases the speed with which pieces can be cut from the workpiece.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED PRZ HYE 3,658,103

SHEET 10F 6 ZLOXO I. G/LBf/QT' By:

BUCKHORN, BLORE, KLARQUiST 8, SPARKMAN PATENTED APR 2 5 I972 SHEET 5 BF 6 M5535: 2:2 wzzoEwg /NY/YTOR 41070 14. 61154797 BUCKHORN, BLORE,KLARQUIST 8, SPARKMAN LUMBER SLICING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the cutting of lumber from logs or timber cants and, more particularly, to the cutting of lumber or similar wood products with a blade while the piece from which the lumber is cut is passed in an angular or diagonal direction against the blade.

Present methods of manufacturing lumber generally require the use of saws. The kerfs cut during the process of manufacture represent a significant loss in the yield of lumber from a given log or cant.

In addition, the present sawmill practice cuts lumber from a log or cant by passing the same through a saw or by passing the saw through the log in the direction of the longest dimension thereof. Since the relative rate of movement of the saw with respect to the workpiece is limited, the time required for each cut is significant.

Cutting of lumber from a log or cant by means of a blade instead of a saw would eliminate the kerf loss, but if such cutting were done by a blade having a relative motion perpendicular to the direction of the grain of the workpiece, a considerable force would be required.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing lumber from logs, timber cants or other types of timber products that will use a slicing action by a knife virtually to eliminate kerf losses and thus, increase the proportion of useful lumber derived from a given workpiece.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing apparatus of the class described that will cut lumber with smooth surfaces whereby the planer can surface the lumber much faster.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing apparatus of the class described that will cut the workpiece along a path parallel to the short dimension thereof, thereby greatly to increase the speed with which pieces can be cut.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a manufacturing apparatus wherein the relative motion between the workpiece and the slicing blade are such that one passes the other in an angular or diagonal direction, thereby greatly to reduce the force required to perform the cutting operation and improve the surface quality of the piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention slices lumber from a log or timber cant workpiece by passing the same in an angular direction against the slicing blade or blades. The apparatus comprises at least one such slicing blade adapted to slice the workpiece along a path transversely thereto.

An active jaw and a passive jaw are adapted to grip the workpiece therebetween. Each of such jaws is individually mounted on a frame so that its movement is constrained to follow an angular path relative to the slicing blade. Resilient means are provided to support the passive jaw and are adapted to permit the passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by the active jaw and to return upon relief of such pressure.

Means are provided to move the active jaw against the resistance of the passive jaw, thereby to force the workpiece gripped therebetween along the aforementioned angular path and against the blade.

The moving means for the active jaw may desirably comprise hydraulic cylinder and piston means, while the resilient v means for the passive jaw may desirably comprise pneumatic cylinder and piston means. Additional means are selectively positioned below the jaws and adapted to support the workpiece in a predetermined position with respect to the slicing blade, thereby to cut pieces of a desired size from-the workpiece with smooth surfaces and virtually no kerf loss.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lumber slicing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view, partly in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating a workpiece gripped between the jaws thereof.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating the apparatus with the active jaw moved away from the passive jaw to permit the positioning of a workpiece therebetween.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating the position of the apparatus at the completion of a cut.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view with parts broken away of a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 5 and illustrating the apparatus during the positioning of a workpiece between the jaws thereof.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the apparatus with the workpiece gripped between the jaws.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 and 8 illustrating the apparatus partially through the completion of a cut.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 79 illustrating the apparatus at the completion of the cut.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 14, the apparatus therein illustrated is adapted to slice a large timber cant C into smaller lumber sizes, such as 2X4s. An active jaw 1 is connected by a pin 2 to pivoting arms 3 and thrust arms 4. The pivoting arms 3 are connected by pins 5 to brackets 6 mounted on a plate 7 supported by beams 14 mounted on beams 15. The thrust arms 4 are connected by pins 8 to idler arms 9 which, in turn, are connected by pins 10 to brackets 11 also mounted on plate 7. Pistons received in double-acting hydraulic cylinders 12 are pin connected to idler arms 9 at their thrust ends, and the cylinders 12 are pin connected at their ends 12b to brackets 13 also mounted on plate 7. I-Iydraulic lines L1 and L2 connect the two ends 12a and 12b of the cylinders 12 to a source of hydraulic fluid.

A passive jaw 16 is positioned on the other side of the apparatus and is connected by pins 17 to pivot arms 18 and to pistons 19a received in pneumatic cylinders 19. The pivot arms 18 are connected by pins 20 to brackets 21 mounted on a plate 22 supported by beams 23 on beams 15. The jaws 1 and 16 are adapted to grip the timber cant workpiece C therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 2.

A slicing blade 24 is mounted in a recess machined out of plate 22 and is attached thereto by means of flathead screws 25. A spacer plate 26 is positioned behind the blade 24 and is attached to plate 22 by screws 26a. A stop 27 supported between brackets 28 is mounted between and below active jaw l and passive jaw 16. The stop 27 is adapted to support cant C in a predetermined position with respect to the blade 24 so that predetermined sized boards may be sliced therefrom, as for example, the 2x4 shown being sliced from the cant C in FIG. 4. A recess 29 provided in the face of the active jaw 1 opposite the sharp edge 24a of the blade 24 is filled with an elastomer or other material which can be penetrated by the blade 24 without injury thereto.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows. Hydraulic pressure applied through lines L1 to the ends 12a of cylinders 12 causes the active jaw 1 to move in an angular direction away from jaw 16, thereby increasing clearance between the jaws as shown in FIG. 3. With the opening between the jaws thus increased, a cant or other partially machined piece of lumber may be dropped into the space 8 between the jaws either by the coaction of the conveyor Y and deflector D illustrated or by other means. The cant C falls through the opening 8 between the jaws until it strikes the stop 27. It is then in position for the slicing operation to commence.

In the position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the passive jaw 16 projects beyond the sharp edge 24a of the blade 24. Hydraulic fluid is relieved from the cylinder ends 12a and introduced through lines L2 to the ends 12b. Application of such pressure causes an extension of the pistons 12c and a consequent rotation of the idler arms 9. The thrust thereby applied to arms 4 causes the pivot arms 3 to rotate on the pins 5. The resulting motion forces the active jaw 1 in an angular direction toward the passive jaw 16, the motion being determined by the rotation of the arms 3 and 9 about the respective pins and 10. Moving the active jaw 1 in this manner with the cant C between the two jaws causes the cant to be contacted by both jaws and aligned therebetween. The pneumatic pressure in the cylinders 19 causes them to support the passive jaw 16 against this movement until the cant has been properly aligned.

Further increasing the pressure in the ends 12b of the cylinders 12 until the resulting thrust exceeds the resisting force provided by the pneumatic cylinders 19- causes both jaws to move in an angular direction away fro the hydraulic cylinders 12. As this motion continues, the side of the cant comes in contact with the slicing blade 24. Sincethe knife is mounted in a stationary position, the cant is moved by the jaws in an angular, somewhat diagonal, direction against the blade 24. Further application of hydraulic pressure to the ends 12b of the cylinders 12 causes the jaws to move further and the blade 24 to slice deeper into the cant until, as shown in FIG. 4, a 2X4 is cut therefrom. The piece so cut then falls freely below the apparatus where it can be removed by a conveyor or other suitable means.

Once the piece is cut from the cant, reversal of the pressure in the hydralic cylinders 12 so that fluid is applied to the ends 12a and relieved from the ends 12b causes the active jaw l to move back to its original position. Pneumatic pressure in the cylinders 19, which is maintained constant throughout the entire operation, causes them to extend piston rods 19a and the passive jaw 16 to return to its original position, essentially following the active jaw l and pushing the cant along in front of it. The cant is held in its elevated position by virtue of the friction between the cant and the jaws 1 and 16 until the rods 19a reach their fully extended position. Further withdrawal movement of the active jaw 1 then relieves the holding pressure on the cant and permits it to drop onto the stop 27 after which the cutting cycle can be repeated.

F IGS. 5'10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention suitable for slicing a segment from each side of a log L. An active jaw 48 is connected by pins 30 to pistons 55 received in hydraulic cylinders 31 mounted on trunion pins 32 on a frame 33. The jaw 48 is also connected by pins 34 to bifurcated thrust arms 35 connected by pins 36 to the frame 33. The jaw 48 is provided with rows of spikes or teeth 37 as shown.

A passive jaw 38 having grooves 380 therein is attached by pins 42 to pistons 430 received in pneumatic cylinders 43 which are connected to the frame 33 by pins 44. The jaw 38 is also connected by a pin 39 to a bifurcated pivot arm 40 connected by pins 41 to the frame 33. A pair of fixed slicing blades 45 are attached by cap screws 46 to beams 47 mounted on the frame 33, as shown. The spikes or teeth 37 in the active jaw 48 prevent any relative motion of the log with respect to the jaw 48; the grooves 38a in the passive jaw 38 restrict lateral but not longitudinal movement of the log with respect to the jaw 38.

In operation the log L is transported to the apparatus by a retractable conveyor 49 and is positioned between the jaws 38 and 48 by clinder operated positioning arms 50 and positioning cylinders 51, as shown, or by other means, so that the log is aligned parallel with the jaws. The pneumatic pressure in cylinders 43 is maintained at a sufficiently high level so that the passive jaw 38 does not permit the log L to contact the upper edges 52 of the blades 45 when the log is being placed thereon.

During this initial placement of the log, the hydraulic cylinders 31 are fully retracted thus causing the active jaw 48 to be in its highest position so that the log may be inserted between the jaws without contacting theteeth 37. After the log is in position between the jaws, the positioning cylinders 51 and the retractable conveyor 49 are withdrawn and hydraulic fluid is forced into the base ends 53 of the cylinders 31, pressure being relieved from the other ends 54. Such causes the active jaw 48 to move downwardly in an angular direction, rotating on the arms 35 about pins 36, thereby to contact the log L.

The teeth 37 engage the log causing it to follow the movement of the jaw 48, and the grooves 38a in the passive jaw 38 prevent any lateral movement.

As the hydraulic cylinders 31 extend their pistons 55 to increase the downward angular motion of the jaw 48, both the log andthe lower jaw 38 are forced in an angular direction downward. The jaw 38 follows the path determined by the rotation of the pivot arm 40. The absence of a second pivot arm permits the passive jaw 38 to deflect or rotate with respect to the active jaw if need be so that it need not always remain parallel tothe active jaw 48. This permits the apparatus to accommodate tapered logs which are not truly cylindrical.

Further extension of the piston rods 55 causes the logs to be forced further in an angular downward direction until it contacts the upper edges 52 of the blades 45 at which time a segment of the log is sliced from each side, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The segments thus cut from the log are permitted to fall to removing conveyors 56 positioned at either side of the apparatus.

After the completion of the cuts, the hydraulic pressure in cylinders 31 is reversed, fluid being forced in at the ends 54, thereby to cause the pistons 55 to retract and the active jaw 48 to rise to its original position. The passive jaw 38 is propelled upwardly by the constant pneumatic pressure in cylinders 43 upon relief of the downward pressure exerted by the active jaw 48. This raises the log to its original position within the jaws. Since the jaws are supported by the pivotal arms shown, they do not follow precisely the same or parallel paths and the grooves 38a in the jaw 38 permit some longitudinal movement of the log relative to the passive jaw.

When the log is returned to its original position and the active jaw 48 has been fully retracted so that its teeth 37 are removed from the surface of the log, the thus trimmed log may be removed from the jaws by the positioning cylinders 51 and the retractable conveyor 49 in the reverse of the action required to place the log within the jaws.

The operation above described cuts only two sides of the log. vA second machine having jaws of a generally flat configuration may then be utilized to cut the remaining curved portions from the log or else the partially machined log may be transported to an apparatus similar to that illustrated in FIGS. l-4 with its round surfaces downward for further slicing.

Although hydraulic cylinders and pistons have been illustrated as the means to move the active jaw-against the resistance of the passive jaw and pneumatic cylinders and pistons have been illustrated as the resilient means by which the passive jaw is supported, other devices such as springs, counterweights or mechanical drives could be used to provide the same function with similar effect.

The invention has been further illustrated by means of pivoting arms which cause an arc-like path as the jaws move in an angular direction relative to the slicing blades. However, other means of guiding the jaws which would insure relative angular motion with respect to the blades may be utilized, including means of guiding the jaws in straight guides to provide truly linear motion.

The invention has been further illustrated in a form which shows the log or timber cant workpiece being moved by jaws against the fixed blade or blades. The apparatus may be modified, however, so that the workpiece is held in a fixed position while the blade is moved against it in the angular an active jaw and a passive jaw adapted to grip said workpiece therebetween, each of said jaws being individually mounted so that its movement is constrained to follow an angular path relative to said slicing blade;

resilient means supporting said passive jaw, said resilient means being adapted to permit said passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by said active jaw and to return upon relieving of said pressure; and

means to move said active jaw against the resistance of said passive jaw thereby to force said workpiece along said path against said blade.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said resilient means comprise pneumatic cylinder and piston means.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said moving means comprise hydraulic cylinder and piston means.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said jaws are mounted to follow substantially parallel angular paths.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means selectively positioned below said jaws and adapted to support said workpiece in a predetermined position with respect to said slicing blade.

6. Apparatus for slicing lumber from a log or timber cant workpiece by passing the same in an angular direction against a slicing blade or blades, comprising a frame;

a first plate mounted on said frame;

a slicing blade attached to said first plate so that its cutting edge is parallel thereto and extends therefrom, said slicing blade being adapted to slice said workpiece by movement in the direction of the short dimension thereof;

a second plate mounted on said frame;

an active jaw mounted on said second plate for movement along a path angular with respect to said slicing blade;

hydraulic means mounted on said second plate and attached to said active jaw and adapted to move the same along said path relative to said slicing blade;

a passive jaw mounted on said first plate for movement along a path angular with respect to said slicing blade but independent of said path ofsaid active jaw;

pneumatic means mounted on said first plate and attached to said passive jaw, said pneumatic means being adapted to permit said passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by said active jaw and to return upon relieving of said pressure, said active jaw and said passive jaw being adapted to grip said workpiece therebetween; and

means selectively positioned below said jaws and adapted to support said workpiece in a predetermined position with respect to said slicing blade,

movement of said active jaw by said hydraulic means causing said active jaw, said passive jaw and said workpiece therebetween to be moved along said angular path relative to said slicing blade against said blade to slice a piece from said workpiece.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising at least one pivot arm pivotally connected to said active jaw,

said pivot arm being pivotally connected to said second plate; and

a thrust arm pivotally connected at one end to said active jaw and at the other end to said hydraulic means, said path of said active jaw being determined by the rotation of said pivot arm by force exerted on said active jaw by said thrust arm.

8. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising at least one pivot arm pivotally connected to said passive jaw, said pivot arm being pivotally connected to said first plate, said path of said passive jaw being determined by the rotation of said pivot arm on said first plate.

9. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising a recess in said active jaw adapted to receive said cutting edge of said slicing blade, and

elastomeric material in said recess, whereby receipt of said blade in said active jaw is permitted without injury to said ed e. l0. l pparatus for slicing a segment from each side of a log by passing the same in an angular direction against a slicing blade or blades, comprising a frame;

at least one slicing blade attached to said frame, said blade being adapted to slice a segment from the side of said log by relative movement therebetween in the direction of the short dimension of said log;

an active jaw mounted on said frame for movement along a path angular with respect to said blade;

hydraulic means mounted on said frame and attached to said active jaw, said hydralic means being adapted to move said active jaw along said path relative to said blade;

a passive jaw mounted on said frame for movement along a path angular with respect to said blade but independent of said path of said active jaw;

pneumatic means mounted on said frame and attached to said passive jaw, said pneumatic means being adapted to permit said passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by said active jaw and to return upon relieving of said pressure, said active jaw and said passive jaw being adapted to grip said log therebetween;

means to prevent relative motion of said log in any direction with respect to said active jaw; and

means to restrict lateral motion but not longitudinal motion of said log with respect to said passive jaw.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising only one arm pivotally connecting said passive jaw to said frame whereby said passive jaw may rotate with respect to said active jaw to grip tapered logs therebetween.

12. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising spike means in said active jaw to prevent any relative motion of said log with respect thereto.

13. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising groove means in said passive jaw to restrict lateral but not longitudinal motion of said log with respect thereto. 

1. Apparatus for slicing lumber from a log or timber cant workpiece by passing the same in an angular direction against a slicing blade or blades, comprising at least one slicing blade adapted to slice said workpiece along a path transverse thereto; an active jaw and a passive jaw adapted to grip said workpiece therebetween, each of said jaws being individually mounted so that its movement is constrained to follow an angular path relative to said slicing blade; resilient means supporting said passive jaw, said resilient means being adapted to permit said passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by said active jaw and to return upon relieving of said pressure; and means to move said active jaw against the resistance of said passive jaw thereby to force said workpiece along said path against said blade.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said resilient means comprise pneumatic cylinder and piston means.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said moving means comprise hydraulic cylinder and piston means.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said jaws are mounted to follow substantially parallel angular paths.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means selectively positioned below said jaws and adapted to support said workpiece in a predetermined position with respect to said slicing blade.
 6. Apparatus for slicing lumber from a log or timber cant workpiece by passing the same in an angular direction against a slicing blade or blades, comprising a frame; a first plate mounted on said frame; a slicing blade attached to said first plate so that its cutting edge is parallel thereto and extends therefrom, said slicing blade being adapted to slice said workpiece by movement in the direction of the short dimension thereof; a second plate mounted on said frame; an active jaw mounted on said second plate for movement along a path angular with respect to said slicing blade; hydraulic means mounted on said second plate and attached to said active jaw and adapted to move the same along said path relative to said slicing blade; a passive jaw mounted on said first plate for movement along a path angular with respect to said slicing blade but independent of said path of said active jaw; pneumatic means mounted on said first plate and attached to said passive jaw, said pneUmatic means being adapted to permit said passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by said active jaw and to return upon relieving of said pressure, said active jaw and said passive jaw being adapted to grip said workpiece therebetween; and means selectively positioned below said jaws and adapted to support said workpiece in a predetermined position with respect to said slicing blade, movement of said active jaw by said hydraulic means causing said active jaw, said passive jaw and said workpiece therebetween to be moved along said angular path relative to said slicing blade against said blade to slice a piece from said workpiece.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising at least one pivot arm pivotally connected to said active jaw, said pivot arm being pivotally connected to said second plate; and a thrust arm pivotally connected at one end to said active jaw and at the other end to said hydraulic means, said path of said active jaw being determined by the rotation of said pivot arm by force exerted on said active jaw by said thrust arm.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising at least one pivot arm pivotally connected to said passive jaw, said pivot arm being pivotally connected to said first plate, said path of said passive jaw being determined by the rotation of said pivot arm on said first plate.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising a recess in said active jaw adapted to receive said cutting edge of said slicing blade, and elastomeric material in said recess, whereby receipt of said blade in said active jaw is permitted without injury to said edge.
 10. Apparatus for slicing a segment from each side of a log by passing the same in an angular direction against a slicing blade or blades, comprising a frame; at least one slicing blade attached to said frame, said blade being adapted to slice a segment from the side of said log by relative movement therebetween in the direction of the short dimension of said log; an active jaw mounted on said frame for movement along a path angular with respect to said blade; hydraulic means mounted on said frame and attached to said active jaw, said hydralic means being adapted to move said active jaw along said path relative to said blade; a passive jaw mounted on said frame for movement along a path angular with respect to said blade but independent of said path of said active jaw; pneumatic means mounted on said frame and attached to said passive jaw, said pneumatic means being adapted to permit said passive jaw to yield under application of pressure by said active jaw and to return upon relieving of said pressure, said active jaw and said passive jaw being adapted to grip said log therebetween; means to prevent relative motion of said log in any direction with respect to said active jaw; and means to restrict lateral motion but not longitudinal motion of said log with respect to said passive jaw.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising only one arm pivotally connecting said passive jaw to said frame whereby said passive jaw may rotate with respect to said active jaw to grip tapered logs therebetween.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising spike means in said active jaw to prevent any relative motion of said log with respect thereto.
 13. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising groove means in said passive jaw to restrict lateral but not longitudinal motion of said log with respect thereto. 